Is private school cheaper in Grand Rapids or Portland?

Grand Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $8,900/year less, or $115,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Grand Rapids over Portland?

Average tuition in Grand Rapids is $8,900/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $115,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,400/year in Grand Rapids, $10,400/year in Portland.

How do Grand Rapids and Portland private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Grand Rapids averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average). Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Grand Rapids vs Portland

Grand Rapids averages $8,900/year less for private school (96% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $115,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Grand Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Grand Rapids

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Grand Rapids	Portland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$18,200/yr	-$8,900
Religious Schools	$6,400/yr	$10,400/yr	-$4,000
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$31,500/yr	-$11,700
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$14,800/yr	-$6,900
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$18,200/yr	-$8,900
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$22,500/yr	-$11,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Grand Rapids

$120,900

Portland

$236,600

Choosing Grand Rapids saves $115,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $231,400.

Sample Schools

Grand Rapids

West Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Christian High School (Grand Rapids)

Christian · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Northpointe Christian Schools

Christian · PK–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Grand Rapids breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Oregon private school costs

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About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.